Fenestrated locking suture anchor assembly

ABSTRACT

The technology includes an anchor assembly for tissue repair having an open helical coil sleeve and a tip structure. The tip structure includes an aperture for passing a suture and a suture capture member for capturing a suture. The technology also includes an anchor driver for installing an anchor into bone. The anchor driver includes an outer shaft and a sleeve advancement member for advancing the sleeve as well as an inner shaft and a suture capture advancement member for advancing the suture capture member. The technology also includes a system for tissue repair having an anchor assembly and an anchor driver for installing the anchor assembly into bone.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/838,729, filed Mar. 15, 2013, entitled FENESTRATED LOCKINGSUTURE ANCHOR ASSEMBLY, the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The described technology relates generally to tissue repair, and morespecifically, to an anchor for securing tissue to bone.

BACKGROUND

Arthroscopic procedures often require soft tissue to be reattached tobone. To achieve this, anchors are placed in the bone and suturesattached to the anchor are passed through the tissue to securely retainthe tissue in place. When making a repair of soft tissue to bone, it isadvantageous to have as large an area of contact between the bone andtissue as possible. Anchor points spaced from one another in rows resultin a repair having a broader area of contact.

SUMMARY

A procedure, and components for use in such procedure, that securelyattaches tissue to bone using a plurality of attachment points over alarge area of contact is needed. Such procedure must be able to be donein a quick and efficient manner with a minimum of recovery time for thepatient.

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to an anchor for securingtissue to bone. The anchor includes a sleeve. The sleeve includes atleast one open helical coil having a proximal end and a distal end,wherein the at least one open helical coil defines an internal volumecommunicating with a region exterior to the at least one open helicalcoil through a spacing between turns of the at least one open helicalcoil. The sleeve also includes at least one rib disposed within theinternal volume, connected to at least two turns of the at least oneopen helical coil, wherein the at least one rib is engageable with agrooved shaft of an anchor driver. The anchor also includes a tipstructure engageable with the sleeve. The tip structure includes a bodydefining an internal cavity. The body includes a distal region definingan aperture sized to accept a suture, wherein the aperture is connectedto the longitudinal internal cavity. The body also includes a proximalregion sized to engage the distal end of the sleeve. The tip structurealso includes a suture capture member positioned within the internalcavity and advanceable distally through the internal cavity into theaperture to capture the suture in a locked position.

Any of the aspects and/or embodiments described herein can include oneor more of the following embodiments. In some embodiments, the at leastone open helical coil is a dual lead helical coil. In some embodiments,the anchor includes one or more structural supports disposed between andconnected to at least a two distalmost turns of the at least one openhelical coil. In some embodiments, the anchor includes one or morestructural supports disposed between and connected to at least a twoproximalmost turns of the at least one open helical coil. In someembodiments, the anchor includes at least one hole defined by one of theone or more structural supports. In some embodiments, the spacingincludes a plurality of spacing sections, wherein each of the pluralityof spacing sections is defined between two turns of the at least oneopen helical coil, each of the plurality of spacing sections having onestructural support disposed therein and extending over a portionthereof, the one structural support being connected to two turns of theat least one open helical coil.

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to an anchor driver forinserting the anchor into the bone. The anchor driver includes a groovedouter shaft engageable with a sleeve. The anchor driver also includes aninner shaft engageable with a suture capture member of a tip structure.The anchor driver also includes a handle assembly. The handle assemblyincludes a suture capture advancement member operatively coupled to theinner shaft, wherein the suture capture advancement member advances thesuture capture member into a distal, suture-locked position. The handleassembly also includes a sleeve advancement member operatively coupledto the grooved outer shaft, wherein the sleeve advancement memberadvances the sleeve into engagement with the tip structure.

Any of the aspects and/or embodiments described herein can include oneor more of the following embodiments. In some embodiments, the anchordriver includes an intermediate shaft positioned between the groovedouter shaft and the inner shaft, the intermediate shaft being releasablyattachable to the tip structure. In some embodiments, the anchor driverincludes a visual marker disposed on at least one of the intermediateshaft or the inner shaft. In some embodiments, the handle assemblyfurther comprises a pounding surface for pounding the distal region ofthe body of the tip structure into a bone.

In some embodiments, the handle assembly includes an axially yieldinginterface configured to allow a relative motion between the groovedouter shaft and the inner shaft along a longitudinal axis of the anchordriver. In some embodiments, the relative motion between the groovedouter shaft and the inner shaft is a response to a threshold forceexerted along the longitudinal axis of the anchor driver. In someembodiments, the axially yielding interface includes at least one of aspring, an elastic member, a ratcheting mechanism, or a hydraulicpiston.

In some embodiments, the suture capture advancement member includes atorque limiter for limiting a maximum torque applicable to the innershaft. In some embodiments, the suture capture advancement memberincludes a threaded depth stop for limiting a maximum travel of theinner shaft. In some embodiments, the suture capture advancement memberincludes a torque limiter for limiting a maximum torque applied to theinner shaft and a threaded depth stop for limiting a maximum travel ofthe inner shaft.

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system for tissuerepair. The system for tissue repair includes an anchor for securingtissue to bone. The anchor includes a sleeve. The sleeve includes atleast one open helical coil having a proximal end and a distal end,wherein the at least one open helical coil defines an internal volumecommunicating with a region exterior to the at least one open helicalcoil through a spacing between turns of the at least one open helicalcoil. The sleeve also includes at least one rib disposed within theinternal volume, connected to at least two turns of the at least oneopen helical coil, wherein the at least one rib is engageable with agrooved shaft of an anchor driver. The system for tissue repair alsoincludes a tip structure engageable with the sleeve. The tip structureincludes a body defining an internal cavity. The body includes a distalregion defining an aperture sized to accept a suture, wherein theaperture is connected to the longitudinal internal cavity. The body alsoincludes a proximal region sized to engage the distal end of the sleeve.The tip structure also includes a suture capture member positionedwithin the internal cavity and advanceable distally through the internalcavity into the aperture to capture the suture in a locked position.

The system for tissue repair also includes an anchor driver forinserting the anchor into the bone. The anchor driver includes a groovedouter shaft engageable with the at least one rib of the sleeve. Theanchor driver also includes an inner shaft engageable with the suturecapture member of the tip structure. The anchor driver also includes ahandle assembly. The handle assembly includes a suture captureadvancement member operatively coupled to the inner shaft, wherein thesuture capture advancement member advances the suture capture memberinto a distal, suture-locked position. The handle assembly also includesa sleeve advancement member operatively coupled to the grooved outershaft wherein the sleeve advancement member advances the sleeve intoengagement with the tip structure.

Any of the aspects and/or embodiments described herein can include oneor more of the following embodiments. In some embodiments, a distal endof the sleeve, the sleeve being substantially engaged with the groovedouter shaft but not engaged with the tip structure, and a surface of abone into which the tip structure has been driven by the anchor driverdefine an axial clearance along a longitudinal axis of the anchordriver.

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of tissuerepair. The method includes providing an anchor system for securingtissue to bone. The anchor system includes a sleeve. The sleeve includesat least one open helical coil having a proximal end and a distal endwherein the at least one open helical coil defines an internal volumecommunicating with a region exterior to the at least one open helicalcoil through a spacing between turns of the at least one open helicalcoil. The sleeve also includes at least one rib disposed within theinternal volume, connected to at least two turns of the at least oneopen helical coil, wherein the at least one rib is engageable with agrooved outer shaft of an anchor driver. The anchor system also includesa tip structure engageable with the sleeve. The tip structure includes abody defining an internal cavity. The body includes a distal regiondefining an aperture sized to accept a suture, wherein the aperture isconnected to the internal cavity. The body also includes a proximalregion sized to engage the distal end of the sleeve. The tip structurealso includes a suture capture member positioned within the internalcavity and advanceable distally through the internal cavity into theaperture to capture the suture in a locked position. The method alsoincludes driving the tip structure into a bone using the anchor driver.The method also includes advancing, using the anchor driver, the suturecapture member into a distal, suture-locked position to capture thesuture in a locked position. The method also includes advancing thesleeve into the bone and into engagement with the tip structure usingthe anchor driver.

Any of the aspects and/or embodiments described herein can include oneor more of the following embodiments. In some embodiments, the methodincludes retracting, using the anchor driver, the suture capture memberinto a proximal, suture-unlocked position to release the suture into afreely slidable state. In some embodiments, the method includes engagingthe at least one rib of the sleeve with the grooved outer shaft of theanchor driver. In some embodiments, the method includes engaging thesuture capture member of the tip structure with an inner shaft of theanchor driver. In some embodiments, the method includes releasablyattaching the tip structure to an intermediate shaft of the anchordriver positioned between the grooved shaft and the inner shaft. In someembodiments, the method includes exerting a threshold force along alongitudinal axis of the anchor driver, causing a retraction of thegrooved shaft of the anchor driver. In some embodiments, advancing thesleeve includes axially sliding the sleeve along a longitudinal axis ofthe anchor driver.

In some embodiments, the anchor driver includes a housing defining athreaded internal cavity coupled with the grooved outer shaft forproviding a threaded travel of the sleeve relative to the inner shaft,wherein advancing the sleeve is achieved by rotating the housing. Insome embodiments, driving the tip structure results in an axialclearance defined along the longitudinal axis of the anchor driverbetween a surface of the bone and a distal end of the sleeve, the sleevebeing substantially engaged with the grooved outer shaft. In someembodiments, the threaded travel of the sleeve is equal to or greaterthan the axial clearance. In some embodiments, the housing is slidablerelative to the inner shaft along the longitudinal axis of the anchordriver for providing a slidable travel of the sleeve. In someembodiments, the slidable travel of the sleeve is equal to or greaterthan the axial clearance. In some embodiments, a combined travel of thesleeve, comprising the slidable travel of the sleeve added to thethreaded travel of the sleeve, is equal to or greater than the axialclearance. In some embodiments, at least one of the sleeve, the housing,or the grooved outer shaft further comprises one or more lockingmechanisms for preventing a longitudinal sliding motion of the housing.

The procedure, and components for use in such procedure, for attachingtissue to bone (hereinafter “technology”) can provide one or more of thefollowing advantages. One advantage of the technology is that patientrecovery time is advantageously minimized because the open helical coilstructure and/or fenestrations of various anchor components promotesbony ingrowth, thereby accelerating bone recovery. Another advantage ofthe technology is that the anchor driver provides for rapid, efficient,knotless insertion of the anchor into bone. The technologyadvantageously provides sufficient structural support, impact avoidancemechanisms, and/or impact absorption mechanisms to prevent breakage ofanchor and/or anchor driver components.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the disclosure, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages will beapparent from the following more particular description of theembodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which likereference characters refer to the same parts throughout the differentviews. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead beingplaced upon illustrating the principles, characteristics, and featuresof the embodiments. In the drawings:

FIGS. 1A-1I are isometric and cross-sectional views illustratingcomponents of an anchor assembly in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2C are isometric views illustrating proximal and distalstructural supports in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 3 provides isometric and cross-sectional views illustratingcircumferential structural supports in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4F are isometric and cross-sectional views illustratingcomponents of an anchor driver in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5C are isometric and cross-sectional views illustratingcomponents of a torque and/or travel limiter in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C are isometric views illustrating a descendable anchor driverin accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 7 is cross-sectional view illustrating a descendable anchor driverproviding an elongated threaded travel in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8B are cross-sectional views illustrating a descendable anchordriver having a slidable travel in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 9A-9D are isometric and cross-sectional views illustrating anaxially compliant anchor driver in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 10A-10D are isometric and cross-sectional views illustrating asystem for tissue repair in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method for tissue repair inaccordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure,its application, or uses.

FIGS. 1A-1I show isometric and cross-sectional views of components of ananchor assembly 100 for securing a tissue to bone in accordance withvarious embodiments. The anchor assembly 100 includes a sleeve 101 and atip structure 102. In some embodiments, the tip structure 102 is poundedinto the bone to insert a suture into the bone and the sleeve 101 isscrewed or otherwise advanced into the bone over the tip structure 102to securely lock the tip structure into the bone. The sleeve 101includes at least one open helical coil 103 having a plurality of openspacing sections 106 between turns of the open helical coil 103 forallowing bony ingrowth from the bone into an internal volume 104 definedwithin the open helical coil 103 and also includes at least one rib 105(two as shown) connected to at least two turns of the open helical coil103.

The tip structure 102 includes a body 110 having a distal portion 110 aand a proximal portion 110 b, an internal cavity 112 defined within thebody 110, a suture capture member 109 advanceable through the internalcavity 112 to lock one or more sutures in an aperture (eyelet) 107. Theaperture 107, in accordance with various embodiments, is defined withinthe body 110 for receiving and retaining one or more sutures. The distalportion 110 a can, in various embodiments, terminate in a pointed and/orbarbed tip for breaking through bone during insertion. The distalportion 110 a can also be rounded or flat-ended for various embodimentswhere, for example pre-drilling of the bone obviates the need for adistal, terminal point.

As shown in FIGS. 1G-1I, the anchor assembly 100 can be installed, forexample, into a bone (not shown) using an anchor driver 115. Anchordrivers 115 in accordance with various embodiments can include a groovedouter shaft 117 insertable into the internal volume 104 of the sleeve101 and engageable with the ribs 105. Anchor drivers 115 used to installthe anchor assembly 100 can be but are not limited to, any of the anchordrivers described below with reference to FIGS. 4-9.

The sleeve 101 can be constructed from, for example but not limited to,polymers (e.g., PEEK), bioabsorbable materials, metals (e.g., surgicalsteel, titanium), or any other suitable material. For weaker, morebrittle materials such as for example, bioabsorbable materials, a purelyopen helical coil design (e.g., 103) can be insufficient to support thevarious forces and stresses endured by an anchor, requiring structuralsupports to be added. As shown in FIG. 2A, a sleeve 200 can, in variousembodiments, include one or more distal structural supports 201connected to at least the two distalmost turns of the open helical coil(e.g., 103). As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, various embodiments can includeone or more proximal structural supports 203 connected to the at leastthe two proximalmost turns of the open helical coil. In someembodiments, one or more fenestrations 205 can be defined by theproximal structural support(s) 203 to support at least some bonyingrowth properties in the areas of the proximal structural supports 203and/or distal structural supports 201.

Similarly, in some embodiments, bony ingrowth can be supported bydistributing multiple proximal structural supports 203 about thecircumference of the two proximalmost turns of the open helical coil inorder to define open segments 206 between each proximal structuralsupport 203. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, sleeves in accordancewith various embodiments can include one or more circumferentialstructural supports 301, each connected to two turns of the open helicalcoil, within each of the plurality of open spacing sections 106 forproviding added structural integrity while still promoting bonyingrowth.

The tip structure 101 can be constructed from, for example but notlimited to, polymers (e.g., PEEK), bioabsorbable materials, metals(e.g., surgical steel, titanium), or any other suitable material. Asshown in FIGS. 1C and 1F, the distal region 110 a of the body 110 of thetip structure 102 can be substantially conically shaped for betterpenetration of the bone and can, in various embodiments, include barbs108 protruding therefrom to improve pullout strength. In someembodiments, the proximal region 110 b of the body 110 includes a sleeveengagement surface 111 for engaging with the distal end 101 a of thesleeve 101, 200, 300 after the sleeve 101, 200, 300 has been screweddown over the tip structure 102. In various embodiments, the proximalregion 110 b includes an intermediate shaft engagement surface 113 forengaging with an intermediate (middle) shaft 119 of the anchor driver115.

FIGS. 4A-4F illustrate an anchor driver 400 in accordance with variousembodiments. The anchor driver 400 includes an outer shaft 401 forengaging with a sleeve (e.g., 101) or other outer structure, an innershaft 403 for engaging with a tip structure (e.g., 102), and a handleassembly 407 for holding and operating the anchor driver 400. In variousembodiments, the anchor driver 400 can also include one or moreintermediate shafts 405 to, for example, provide additional stiffnesswhen pounding in a tip structure.

The outer shaft 401 can, for example, be grooved and can be configuredto engage one or more components of an anchor assembly (e.g., theinternal volume 104 and ribs 105 of the sleeve 101 of anchor assembly100 as described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3). The inner shaft 403can be, in some embodiments, configured to engage one or more componentsof an anchor assembly (e.g., the suture capture member 109 of the anchorassembly 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3). Theintermediate shaft 405 can be, in some embodiments, configured to engagea component of an anchor assembly 100 (e.g., the intermediate shaftengagement surface 113 of the tip structure of the anchor assembly 100described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3).

As shown in FIGS. 4E and 4F, the handle assembly 407 includes a suturecapture advancement member 409 (e.g., a knob as shown) for advancing asuture capture member to capture a suture, a sleeve advancement member411 (e.g., a collar as shown) for screwing in a sleeve (e.g., 101), ahandle grip 415 for holding and/or maneuvering the anchor driver duringinsertion of the anchor (e.g., 100) into bone, one or more suture slots413 protruding from the handle grip 415 for placing and/or maintainingtension on a suture during installation of the anchor into bone. Thehandle assembly 407 also includes, a pounding surface 417 for pounding atip structure (e.g., 102) into bone, and a center housing 421.

In various embodiments, the suture capture advancement member 409 caninclude a torque and/or travel limiter 419, which can be but is notlimited to, a torque and/or travel limiter 501 as described below withreference to FIGS. 5A-5C. In some embodiments, the suture captureadvancement member 409 defines a threaded inner shaft receiving cavity418, which is counter-threaded with a proximal section of the innershaft 403. In such embodiments, rotating or twisting the suture captureadvancement member 409 rotates the proximal section of the inner shaft403, thereby causing the inner shaft 403 to advance distally through thethreaded inner shaft receiving cavity 418 and, consequently, advancingthe suture capture member (e.g., 109) to lock one or more sutures inplace.

In some embodiments, the center housing 421 defines a threaded drive hubreceiving cavity 422, which is counter-threaded with an outer drive hub423. The outer drive hub 423 can be affixed to a proximal end of theouter shaft 401 and be engaged with the sleeve advancement member 411.In such embodiments, twisting or rotating the sleeve advancement member411 rotates the outer drive hub 423, thereby causing the outer drive hub423 to advance distally through the threaded drive hub receiving cavity422, and, consequently, advancing the outer shaft 401 relative to theinner shaft 403, thereby advancing the sleeve (e.g., 101, 200, 300) intoengagement with the tip structure (e.g., 102).

In various embodiments, the handle grip 415, suture capture advancementmember 409, sleeve advancement member 411, center housing 421, and/orouter drive hub 423 can each be manufactured from a polymer material andvia an injection molding process. However, any other suitable material(e.g., metals, composites, wood) and/or process (e.g., extrusion,machining, electro-chemical machining) can be used. The handle grip 415,suture capture advancement member 409, and/or sleeve advancement member411 can be coupled via an interference fit. However, any other suitablemethod of coupling (e.g., screws, adhesives, rivets) can be used.

The components of outer shaft 401, inner shaft 403, and/or intermediateshaft(s) 405 can be made from a metal material via an extrusion ordrawing process. However, any other suitable material (e.g., plastics,composites) and/or process (e.g., injection molding, casting, machining,electro-chemical machining) can be used. The components of outer shaft401, inner shaft 403, and/or intermediate shaft(s) 405 can be coupled tothe handle grip 415, suture capture advancement member 409, and/orsleeve advancement member 411 via an interference fit. However, anyother suitable method of coupling (e.g., screws, adhesives, rivets) canbe used.

In various embodiments, turning the suture capture advancement member409 advances the inner shaft 403, which is engaged with a suture capturemember (e.g., 109 as shown in FIG. 1). Consequently, turning the suturecapture advancement member 409 also advances the suture capture member.As advancement continues, one or more sutures in an aperture (e.g., 107as shown in FIG. 1) can be compressed by the suture capture member,increasing the torque required to turn the suture capture advancementmember 409 until, ultimately, the suture capture member (e.g., 109)either stops or fails. Applying excessive torque to the suture captureadvancement member 409 and, consequently, excessive axial force to theinner shaft 403 and the suture capture member can result in breakage ofone or more components of the anchor (e.g., 100) or anchor driver (e.g.,400 as shown in FIG. 4, 600 as shown in FIG. 6, and/or 900 as shown inFIG. 9). Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, various embodiments canadvantageously include a torque and/or travel limiter 501 to stopadvancement of the suture capture member upon reaching or exceeding amaximum torque and/or depth threshold. The torque and/or travel limiter501 can, in various embodiments, be incorporated into a suture captureadvancement member 409. In some embodiments, the torque and/or travellimiter 501 includes an outer housing 503, a threaded shaft 511, a pawl505 and spring 507 torque limiter, and a ring 509 for distributing anaxial force applied to the torque and/or travel limiter 501. The outerhousing 503 can be, in various embodiments, rotably retained by a handlegrip 502 of the anchor driver.

The pawl 505, in various embodiments, can be held by the spring 507against a notch (not shown) on the circumference of the threaded shaft511. In such embodiments the spring 507 can be designed such that theholding force of the spring 507 is overcome when a torque equal to orgreater than a threshold torque (e.g., 1.2 in-lbf, 3.2 in-lbf, or anyother desired threshold torque) is applied to the suture captureadvancement member 409. Overcoming the holding force of the springresults in release of the pawl 505 and allows the outer housing 503 tospin freely about the threaded shaft 511. In various embodiments, themovement of the pawl 505 over one or more notches causes an audibleclicking sound, alerting a user that the suture capture member has beenfully advanced. Although a pawl and spring torque limiter is describedherein for illustrative purposes, it will be apparent in view of thepresent disclosure that any suitable torque limiter can be used (e.g.,shear pin, synchronous magnetic, ball detent, friction plate).

The threaded shaft 511, in various embodiments, can be threaded along atleast a portion of the length of the shaft 511. The threads of thethreaded shaft 511 can, in some embodiments, engage with receivingthreads in a housing 521. In such embodiments, the length of thethreaded portion of the threaded shaft 511 sets a maximum travel of thesuture capture member. Therefore, the threaded shaft 511 provides apositive depth stop to prevent excessive advancement of the suturecapture member. Upon reaching the positive depth stop, the torquerequired to turn the suture capture engagement member 409 rapidlyincreases. In some embodiments, the additional required torque causesthe spring 507 to release the pawl 505, thereby producing an audibleclicking sound. It will be apparent in view of the present disclosurethat any arrangement of a threaded member and receiving threads can besuitable, including, for example, receiving threads on the handle 502,the threaded member being incorporated into the outer housing 503,and/or any other suitable arrangement.

It will further be apparent in view of the present disclosure thatvarious embodiments cannot include both a torque limiter and a positivedepth stop but can instead include only a torque limiter or only apositive depth stop. In various embodiments, other auditory, tactile, orother sensory feedback mechanisms (e.g., buzzer, alarm, siren, LEDlight, vibrating device) can be included in the torque and/or travellimiter 501. In various embodiments, such other sensory feedbackmechanisms can be included with a positive depth stop instead of atorque limiter, can be included with a torque limiter only, or can beincluded with both a torque limiter and a positive depth stop.

In various embodiments, anchor driver 400 can be used to insert anchor100 into a bone. In various such embodiments a surgeon can pound tipstructure 102 into a bone by pounding on pounding surface 417 with, forexample, a mallet or hammer. In various such embodiments, the surgeon oruser pounds the tip structure 102 into the bone until the sleeve 101touches the bone. In such embodiments, continuing to pound on thepounding surface 417 can result in damage to the sleeve 101, referred toas over-insertion damage.

In some example embodiments over-insertion can be avoided, asillustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C, by a descendable anchor driver 600 inaccordance with various embodiments. As depicted in FIG. 6A, descendableanchor driver 600 exhibits a nominal clearance 603 between the sleeve101 and the bone after full insertion of the tip structure 102. As shownin FIGS. 6B and 6C, the nominal clearance 603 can be achieved, forexample, by providing an increased clearance between the tip structure102 and the sleeve 101 when engaged with the descendable anchor driver600 versus when engaged with the anchor driver 400. In variousembodiments, the descendable anchor driver 600 can include a laser markor other indicator 601 to indicate an appropriate insertion depth 602 ofthe tip structure 102.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the nominal clearance 603 can, therefore, preventover-insertion damage to the sleeve 101. As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, invarious embodiments, the nominal clearance 603 results in an increase inthe required longitudinal travel of the outer shaft 601 and sleeve 101relative to the tip structure 102. In some embodiments, the increasedtravel is equal to the nominal clearance 603 plus the appropriate tipinsertion depth 602.

As shown in FIG. 7, a descendable anchor driver 700 in accordance withvarious embodiments can include an elongated center housing 721, whichdefines an elongated threaded drive hub receiving cavity 722. Theelongated threaded drive hub receiving cavity 722 can becounter-threaded with an elongated outer drive hub 723. In someembodiments, twisting or rotating the sleeve advancement member 711rotates the elongated outer drive hub 723, thereby causing the elongatedouter drive hub 723 to advance distally through the elongated threadeddrive hub receiving cavity 722, thereby providing an elongated threadedtravel 725 of the sleeve 101. In various embodiments, the elongatedthreaded travel 725 of the elongated outer drive hub 723 within theelongated threaded drive hub receiving cavity 722 is equivalent to thenominal clearance 603 plus the appropriate tip insertion depth 602.Accordingly, the elongated threaded travel 725 can provide sufficientadditional longitudinal travel to compensate for the addition of nominalclearance 603 to anchor driver 600. In various embodiments, elongatedcenter housing 721, elongated threaded drive hub receiving cavity 722,and elongated drive outer drive hub 723 can be, for example, similar to,but longer than, center housing 421, threaded drive hub receiving cavity422, and outer drive hub 423 respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a descendable anchor driver 800 can, invarious embodiments, include a drive housing 809 positioned within ahandle grip 821. The drive housing 809 can define a threaded drive hubreceiving cavity 822, which is counter-threaded with an outer drive hub823. In various embodiments, twisting or rotating the sleeve advancementmember 811 a, 811 b rotates the drive housing 809, thereby causing theouter drive hub 823 to advance distally, thereby providing a threadedtravel 825 of the sleeve 101. In some embodiments, threaded drive hubreceiving cavity 822 and outer drive hub 823 can be, for example,similar to threaded drive hub receiving cavity 422 and outer drive hub423.

In various embodiments, the drive housing 809 can be longitudinallyslidable within the handle grip 821, thereby providing a slidable travelof the outer shaft 801 relative to the inner shaft 803 to account forthe increased travel requirements of a descendable anchor driver (e.g.,600, 700, 800). In various embodiments, a user (e.g., a surgeon) candetach sleeve advancement member 811 a, 811 b from handle grip 821 inorder to slide the drive housing 809 relative to the handle grip 821.Any suitable method of detachment can be used. For example, sleeveadvancement member 811 a can be detachable via a twisting lockingmechanism 813 whereas sleeve advancement member 811 b can be detachablevia a squeezable locking mechanism 815. In some embodiments, one or moremechanisms (e.g., latches 819) can be used to prevent proximal slidingof the drive housing 809 after advancement, thereby keeping the sleevesuitably close to the bone for screw-in installation. It will beapparent in view of this disclosure that, while radially extendinglatches 819 are shown, any suitable mechanism can be used to preventproximal sliding of the drive housing 809 (e.g., a ratchet and/or abraking mechanism).

In various embodiments, impact or other axial forces associated withpounding in the tip structure (e.g., 102) which are applied to thesleeve (e.g., 101, 200, 300) can be alleviated to advantageously preventover-insertion damage. As illustrated by FIGS. 9A-9D, variousembodiments can alleviate impact forces by including an axiallycompliant member 923 (e.g., a spring as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B)configured to allow a relative motion between the outer shaft 901 andthe inner shaft 903, thereby absorbing at least a portion of the impactforces exerted on the sleeve during the pounding-in of the tip structure102. In some embodiments, the axially compliant member 923 can bepositioned between a center housing 921 and a drive housing 909 and bepositioned around intermediate shaft 905 and/or inner shaft 903. It willbe apparent in view of this disclosure that, while the axially compliantmember 923 is depicted to be a compression spring, any suitable axiallycompliant member 923 can be used. Axially compliant members 923 inaccordance with various embodiments can include, for example, a spring,an elastic member, a ratchet mechanism, a hydraulic piston, and/or apneumatic cylinder.

As shown in FIGS. 9C-9D, an anchor driver 900, upon an impact or otheraxial force being applied to the sleeve 101, provides for the outershaft 901 to move proximally relative to inner shaft 903. This relativeproximal motion of the outer shaft 901 moves the drive housing 909towards the center housing 921, thereby compressing or otherwiseactuating the axially compliant member 923 and absorbing or otherwiserelieving the impact forces. In some embodiments, an indicator 925 canbe provided along the outer shaft 901 and be retractable into the sleeveadvancement member 911. Retraction of the sleeve advancement member 911can, in various embodiments, alert a user that the tip structure 102 hasbeen fully inserted and that the sleeve 101 is in contact with the bone.

FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate a system for tissue repair 1000 in accordancewith various embodiments. The system includes a sleeve 1001 of ananchor, a tip structure 1003 of the anchor, and an anchor driver 1005.

In various embodiments, the sleeve 1001 includes at least one openhelical coil 1007, an internal volume 1009 defined within the openhelical coil 1007, a plurality of open spacing sections 1011 betweenturns of the open helical coil 1007, and at least one rib 1013 connectedto at least two turns of the open helical coil 1007. The sleeve 1001 caninclude one or more proximal structural supports (e.g., 203), one ormore distal structural supports 1015, and/or one or more circumferentialstructural supports (e.g., 301). The sleeve 1001 can be similar to, butis not limited to, sleeve 101, 200, 300 described above with referenceto FIGS. 1-3 and can be configured to promote bone ingrowth.

In various embodiments, the tip structure 1003 includes a body 1021, aninternal cavity 1023 defined within the body 1021, a suture capturemember 1025 advanceable through the internal cavity 1023 to capturesuture(s) 1026 in an aperture (eyelet) 1027 defined within the body1021. The tip structure 1003 can also include an intermediate shaftengagement surface 1028 for engaging the intermediate shaft 1035 of theanchor driver 1005. The tip structure 1003 can be similar to, but is notlimited to, tip structure 102 described above with reference to FIG. 1.In various embodiments, a suture(s) 1026 can be fed through the aperture1027 of the tip structure 1003.

In various embodiments, the anchor driver 1005 includes an outer shaft1029 for holding and advancing the sleeve 1001, an inner shaft 1031 forengaging and advancing the suture capture member 1025, and a handleassembly 1033 for holding and operating the anchor driver 1005. Invarious embodiments, the anchor driver can also include one or moreintermediate shafts 1035 (one as shown) for holding and/or supportingthe tip structure 1003. The outer shaft 1029 can define grooves 1037configured to engage the internal volume 1009 and ribs 1013 of thesleeve 1001. The inner shaft 1031 can be configured to engage theinternal cavity 1023 and/or the suture capture member 1025 of the tipstructure 1003. The intermediate shaft 1035 can be configured toreleasably attach to the intermediate shaft engagement surface 1028 ofthe tip structure 1003.

The handle assembly 1033 includes a suture capture advancement member(e.g., a knob as shown) 1039 for advancing the suture capture member1025, a sleeve advancement member (e.g., a collar as shown) 1041 foradvancing the sleeve 1001, a handle grip 1043 for holding the anchordriver 1005, one or more suture slots 1045 protruding from the handlegrip 1043 for placing and/or maintaining tension on a suture(s) 1026during installation of the anchor (e.g., sleeve 1001 and tip structure1003) into bone, a pounding surface 1047 for pounding the tip structure1003 into bone, and a center housing 1049. The suture captureadvancement member 1039 can include a torque and/or travel limiter 1051for preventing excessive compression of the suture(s) 1026 and breakageof the suture capture member 1025 and/or anchor driver 1005. In someembodiments, the suture capture advancement member 1039 defines athreaded inner shaft receiving cavity 1053, which is counter-threadedwith a proximal section of the inner shaft 1031 to allow advancement ofthe suture capture member 1025. As shown in FIGS. 10A-10D, the centerhousing 1049 engages with an axially compliant member 1055, whichengages with a drive housing 1057 so as to provide absorption of impactand/or other axial forces associated with pounding in the tip structure1003 which are applied to the sleeve 1001. The drive housing 1057defines a threaded drive hub receiving cavity 1059, which iscounter-threaded with an outer drive hub 1061. The outer drive hub 1061can be affixed to a proximal end of the outer shaft 1029 and be engagedwith the sleeve advancement member 1041, thereby allowing advancement ofthe sleeve 1001. It will be apparent in view of this disclosure thatanchor driver 1005 can be similar to, but is not limited to, any anchordriver 400, 600, 700, 800, 900 described above with reference to FIGS.4-9.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method for tissue repair 1100 in accordance withvarious embodiments. The method includes providing an anchor systemcomprising a sleeve and a tip structure 1101, driving the tip structureinto a bone using the anchor driver 1103, advancing the suture capturemember into a distal, suture-locked position to capture the suture in alocked position 1105, and advancing the sleeve into the bone and intoengagement with the tip structure 1107. In some embodiments, the methodfor tissue repair 1100 can optionally include retracting the suturecapture member into a proximal, suture-unlocked position to release thesuture into a freely slidable state 1109.

Providing an anchor system 1101 can, in various embodiments, includeproviding, for example but not limited to, a system for tissue repair1000 as described above with reference to FIGS. 10A-10D. It will beapparent in view of this disclosure that any suitable anchor system canbe provided in accordance with various embodiments and that such anchorsystems can include any anchor and/or anchor driver as describedhereinabove with reference to any of FIGS. 1-10.

Driving the tip structure into a bone using the anchor driver 1103 can,in various embodiments, include pounding a pounding surface of thedriver to drive the tip structure into the bone. A pounding surface inaccordance with various embodiments can be but is not limited to, apounding surface 417, 1047 as described above with reference to FIGS. 4and 10.

Advancing the suture capture member into a distal, suture-lockedposition to capture the suture in a locked position 1105 can, in variousembodiments, include twisting or otherwise actuating a suture captureadvancement member to advance the inner shaft and, consequently, thesuture capture member until a suture is at least partially compressed bythe suture capture member within the aperture of the tip structure. Asuture capture advancement member in accordance with various embodimentscan be but is not limited to, a suture capture advancement member 409,1039 as described above with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 10.

Advancing the sleeve into the bone and into engagement with the tipstructure 1107 can, in various embodiments, include twisting orotherwise actuating a sleeve advancement member to advance the outershaft and, consequently, the sleeve until the sleeve enters the bone andengages with the tip structure. A sleeve advancement member inaccordance with various embodiments can be but is not limited to, asleeve advancement member 411, 711, 811 a, 811 b, 911, 1041 as describedabove with reference to FIGS. 4-10.

The optional step of retracting the suture capture member into aproximal, suture-unlocked position to release the suture into a freelyslidable state 1109 can, in various embodiments, include twisting orotherwise actuating a suture capture advancement member in a directionopposite of the direction used in the step of advancing the suturecapture member 1105 to retract the inner shaft and, consequently, thesuture capture member until a suture is at least partially released bythe suture capture member within the aperture of the tip structure. Asuture capture advancement member in accordance with various embodimentscan be but is not limited to, a suture capture advancement member 409,1039 as described above with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 10.

The method of tissue repair 1100 can be used, for example, to perform atissue repair procedure. The procedure can include drawing a suture(s)1026 through a soft tissue and placing at least one end of the suture(s)1026 through the aperture 1027 of the tip structure 1003. In variousembodiments, the tip structure 1027 is then pounded into the bone,bringing the sleeve 1001 into a predetermined proximity of the bone(e.g., adjacent to the bone, at a nominal clearance 603 from the bone).The suture capture advancement member 1039, in various embodiments, isthen rotated until a feedback mechanism of the torque and/or travellimiter 1051 indicates full advancement. Such rotation serves to advancethe suture capture member 1025 into the aperture 1027 to lock thesuture(s) 1026 in the aperture 1027.

The sleeve 1001 is then screwed into the bone hole via rotation of thesleeve advancement member 1041, which moves the sleeve 1001 axially andengages the distal end of the sleeve 1001 with the proximal end of thetip structure 1003 and further locks the suture between the sleeve 1001and the bone. FIG. 10 shows the assembled system for tissue repair withthe suture(s) 1026. The suture(s) 1026 can be tensioned prior toadvancing the suture capture member 1025 to engage the suture(s) 1026.Optionally, an anchor assembly 100 can be placed within bone, ends ofthe suture placed through the soft tissue, and the ends then placedthrough the aperture 107, 1027 of the tip structure 102, 1003. In someembodiments, the suture(s) 1026 can be released by retracting the suturecapture member 1025 so that, for example, the user can re-tension thesuture 1026. Repair would continue as described above. After tensioningthe suture(s) 1026, a user can, in various embodiments, place one ormore free ends of the suture(s) 1026 in a suture slot 1045 to helpmaintain tension during advancement of the suture capture member 1025into the aperture 1027. A similar type of repair is shown and describedin United States Patent Application Publication Nos. 20090112270,20100016869, and 20100016902, the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methodsherein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of theinvention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoingdescription or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedas illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of thepresent invention should not be limited by any of the above-describedexemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with thefollowing claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of tissue repair comprising: driving atip structure of an anchor system into a bone hole with an anchordriver, the anchor system comprising: a sleeve comprising: at least oneopen helical coil having a proximal end and a distal end wherein the atleast one open helical coil defines an internal volume communicatingwith a region exterior to the at least one open helical coil through aspacing between turns of the at least one open helical coil, and atleast one rib disposed within the internal volume, connected to at leasttwo turns of the at least one open helical coil, wherein the at leastone rib is engageable with a grooved outer shaft of the anchor driver;wherein the tip structure is engageable with the sleeve, the tipstructure comprising: a body defining an internal cavity comprising: adistal region defining an aperture sized to accept a suture, wherein theaperture is connected to the internal cavity, and a proximal regionsized to engage the distal end of the sleeve, and a suture capturemember positioned within the internal cavity and advanceable distallythrough the internal cavity into the aperture to capture the suture in alocked position; advancing, using the anchor driver, the suture capturemember until a feedback member of a torque and/or travel limiter of theanchor driver indicates full advancement to capture the suture in adistal, suture-locked position, the feedback member providing audiblefeedback to indicate the full advancement; and advancing the sleeve intothe bone and into engagement with the tip structure using the anchordriver; wherein the anchor driver further comprises an axially compliantmember configured to allow a relative motion between the grooved outershaft and an inner shaft along a longitudinal axis of the anchor driver,the axially compliant member being separate and distinct from a springof the torque and/or travel limiter.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising retracting, using the anchor driver, the suture capturemember into a proximal, suture-unlocked position to release the sutureinto a freely slidable state.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: engaging the at least one rib of the sleeve with the groovedouter shaft of the anchor driver; engaging the suture capture member ofthe tip structure with the inner shaft of the anchor driver; andreleasably attaching the tip structure to an intermediate shaft of theanchor driver positioned between the grooved outer shaft and the innershaft.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising exerting a thresholdforce along a longitudinal axis of the anchor driver, causing aretraction of the grooved outer shaft of the anchor driver.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein advancing the sleeve further comprisesaxially sliding the sleeve along a longitudinal axis of the anchordriver.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the anchor driver furthercomprises a housing defining a threaded internal cavity coupled with thegrooved outer shaft for providing a threaded travel of the sleeverelative to the inner shaft, wherein advancing the sleeve is achieved byrotating the housing.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the housing isslidable relative to the inner shaft along the longitudinal axis of theanchor driver for providing a slidable travel of the sleeve.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the slidable travel of the sleeve is equal toor greater than an axial clearance defined along the longitudinal axisof the anchor driver between a surface of the bone and a distal end ofthe sleeve, the sleeve being substantially engaged with the groovedouter shaft.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein a combined travel of thesleeve, comprising the slidable travel of the sleeve added to thethreaded travel of the sleeve, is equal to or greater than the axialclearance.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of thesleeve, the housing, or the grooved outer shaft further comprises one ormore locking mechanisms for preventing a longitudinal sliding motion ofthe housing.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein completing the step ofdriving the tip structure results in an axial clearance defined alongthe longitudinal axis of the anchor driver between a surface of the boneand a distal end of the sleeve, the sleeve being substantially engagedwith the grooved outer shaft.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein thethreaded travel of the sleeve is equal to or greater than the axialclearance.